Drain valves versus plugs versus suction

[Andrew Duane USG]

Well, there are other reasons for using a suction bottle besides
"not being able to get at the drain plug".

First, as has been mentioned, someimes they are hard to get off.
And sometimes they strip (how many times have we heard about that?)
With an undercar cover, they are hard to even get at (as is a
drain valve). Last, and most important for me, the suction device
is MUCH CLEANER! No more oil pans under the car, no more cleanup,
no more spills, no more storage of oil pans, none of which were
ever easy to store in the long term. Just slip the tube out and
wipe the tip with a paper towel.

And the suction bottle really does get all the oil out.

I've used the Fumoto drain valves, they are nice. But if I don't
have to crawl under the car to pour 4+ quarts of oil out and hope
it all gets in the pan, I am happy. With a valve or a plug.

Oh, and someone asked why I would change the oil without the filter.
First, I do that now because Audi changes my oil and filter for me,
but I like to change at least my oil in between service intervals.
This means I don't have to mess with the car cover at all. And, even
when I do change the filter, at least it will be a much cleaner and
drier operation to drain the oil first.

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Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7)			duane at zk3.dec.com
Compaq Computer Corporation		(603)-884-1294
110 Spit Brook Road
M/S ZKO3-3/U14
Nashua, NH    03062-2698